The landscape of domestic high-performance carbon fiber supply is undergoing a structural transformation. On June 28, Zhongfu Shenying commissioned three production lines at its Lianyungang base, covering 5,000 tons of large-tow, 1,000 tons of T1100-grade high-strength, and 600 tons of high-modulus carbon fiber, with a total investment of nearly 6 billion yuan and a planned capacity of 31,000 tons. This milestone goes beyond mere capacity expansion; it signifies that China's carbon fiber industry has achieved a critical leap from 'capable of production' to 'full-category coverage' in high-end varieties.
Industry Logic Behind the Capacity Release
In recent years, the domestic carbon fiber market has been plagued by an imbalance of 'low-end oversupply and high-end import dependence.' According to publicly available industry data, China's carbon fiber demand in 2025 was approximately 85,000 tons, with imports still accounting for over 40% of high-end products (such as T1000-grade and above, and high-modulus series). The three lines Zhongfu Shenying has just launched precisely target the three segments with the largest supply-demand gaps.
Large-tow carbon fiber is a key material for wind turbine blades and pressure vessels. The 5,000-ton line directly lowers the domestic supply threshold for large-tow products. T1100-grade high-strength carbon fiber is primarily used in aerospace and high-end sports equipment, previously only mass-produced by a few international giants. High-modulus carbon fiber is widely applied in precision electronics and advanced textile machinery. While the 600-ton capacity is relatively small in absolute terms, it carries significant weight for import substitution.
A critical metric is that core equipment localization exceeds 95%. This means future capacity expansion will no longer be constrained by import equipment lead times and technology blockades, significantly improving production ramp-up speed and cost control. For downstream textile companies, this translates into improved supply stability and pricing leverage.
Direct Benefits for the Textile Industry
Carbon fiber applications in textiles are not new, but its penetration has been low due to high prices and limited specifications. The full-category capacity release will directly reduce production costs for carbon fiber composite yarns, fabrics, and prepregs.
- **High-End Sports Textiles**: T1100-grade carbon fiber can be used to manufacture lightweight bicycle frames, golf shafts, and tennis rackets, offering 20%-30% weight reduction while enhancing durability.
- **Industrial Textiles**: Large-tow carbon fiber is already mature in wind turbine blades and automotive lightweight structures. This capacity increase will shift more textile-related orders to domestic suppliers.
- **Textile Machinery Upgrades**: High-modulus carbon fiber can be used in high-speed looms for components like rapier heads and heald frames, improving operational efficiency and precision.
From a cost perspective, localization and scale production are expected to reduce carbon fiber prices by 15%-25% over the next two years, significantly broadening its application scope in textiles.
Deep Impact on Procurement and Supply Chains
For textile procurement teams, the changing carbon fiber supply landscape necessitates a reassessment of sourcing strategies. Companies that previously relied on imported high-end carbon fiber now have more domestic options, but they must also address new challenges such as specification compatibility and certification lead times.
The Lianyungang base has a total planned capacity of 31,000 tons, with only the first phase now online. As subsequent phases come on stream, the market will shift from a 'seller's market' to a 'buyer's market,' giving buyers greater leverage in price negotiations and payment terms. However, process validation for high-end carbon fiber typically takes a long time. Downstream companies should establish technical exchanges with suppliers early to avoid missing the window due to certification delays.